1) Style: You want to feel happy, awake, and refreshed in the morning as you get ready to attack the day, and when you return from your busy day you want a quiet relaxing evening in the tub.

2) Functionality: Do you find yourself griping when getting ready in your bath looking for the hairdryer, make up items and perhaps a place to set down your coffee?

3) Size: How big do you want to go? Is it just the vanity that is bothering you? Is it the grout in the tile of your shower? Is your tub area just making you yawn with boredom?

If you write these down, you will begin to see the design actually take place in your brain, while it’s fresh in your mind, just start sketching and jotting down those ideas.

I suggest you start in the vanity area. First inspect you cabinet bottom under the plumbing. Is it durable or can your finger poke thru it? If so you can tear out that bottom, rebuild it or you may have to buy new cabinets.

When searching for countertop remnants for a long vanity, It might be difficult to find a granite remnant that long. If you decide on a Seamless Surface or Formica material, you might need to buy a whole sheet. One tip is to either make one cabinet higher or lower rather than one level. Its looks stylish, but more importantly it’s so easy to find smaller remnants.

Even if you buy just two cabinets space them apart, and build a lower countertop bridge of another color which can be used as a make-up desk as well. If you do not like the uneven cabinet height design, then buy a couple of small granite sections in a lighter color, and two strips of darker color, and have them seamed up to meet your measurements. This way we celebrate the seam and it will look more like a design than a remnant top.

Its easier to find three small scraps than one long slab, Panache Vue is always here to help.

Gene McDonald, aka “The Counter Top Rock Star” is the President of Refresh Interiors Design.com. To schedule an appointment or Visit his showroom, visit www.ReFreshInteriorsDesign.com or Call 727.527.0206.

Florida is a leader in innovative green building and outdoor living design which reflects Florida’s laid back yet elegant lifestyle. Variable speed pumps make equipment more efficient which in turn saves on energy and water usage. Many recycled materials such as glass and mosaic tiles give the client another green alternative in the building arena.

The style of pool should reflect and compliment the style of home. With that said however, there is lots of room for creative and technological elements even in the most traditional of homes.

Look to fully integrated automation systems that allow homeowners to remotely control pool features from any mobile device. Everything from balancing chemicals to activating water features. Why not begin heating your spa while in rush hour traffic?

Exotic stones continue to be a desirable alternative in place of the commonly used Travertine. Create a beautiful fire feature or a tile design that becomes a centerpiece of conversation. Ultra Custom Group features over 400 varieties of Exotic stones from 19 countries, Porcelain that looks like wood and Resin resembling glass.

The variety of materials available to the consumer is far reaching and Ultra Custom is here to help put them on your home, pool, or outdoor space. The integration of Pool and Outdoor living space is a trend as itself. In the past a pool was a pool, but now people are more inclined to create a full outdoor living space. Pool pavilions, fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, organic gardens are great for the total outdoor living experience. Let’s get started on your Design today. Call me to schedule and design consultation. 813-900-5595. Lic.#’s CPC1457644, CGC1514684, C10433

Suncoast Pilates offers a variety of ways to give a present of health via gift certificates. Gift the recipient a Pilates private introductory session, purchase a private session package, gift a floor class or present a present of group equipment session package. The studio offers private sessions from early morning till late evening, group equipment sessions and Pilates Mat and Barre fitness floor classes are offered at select days and times weekly. The studio also offers private sessions on the CoreAlign.

For the new mother, Pilates is a great way to get the body back in shape. For those thinking of becoming a mother, Pilates is a great way to strengthen the body in preparation for pregnancy. Clients who start Pilates prior to pregnancy are often able to continue Pilates throughout their pregnancy with modifications. The studio has

Baby Rock photography

proudly exercised many mothers throughout their first, second and even third pregnancies. Pilates offers a wonderful, effective exercise program for both pre-natal and post-natal clients. Suncoast Pilates is proud to showcase some of the Pilates babies born to clients who exercised throughout their pregnancy and returned post-pregnancy to their Pilates exercise program. Recent years include 2012 with five Suncoast Pilates clients giving birth to baby boys, 2011 clients gave birth to four baby boys, with dozens of Pilates babies in years past. This year so far in 2013, we welcomed one Pilates baby girl.

Pilates is for mothers of ALL ages (and fathers too!)

Patricia Welter, B.S., PMA®- CPT Lolita San Miguel Pilates Master™ Second Generation Pilates Teacher Balanced Body® Faculty
Owner Suncoast Pilates

• The mortgage must be owned or guaranteed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.
• The mortgage must have been sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac on or before May 31, 2009.
• The mortgage cannot have been refinanced under HARP previously unless it is a Fannie Mae loan that was refinanced under HARP from March-May, 2009.
• The current loan-to-value (LTV) ratio must be greater than 80%.
• The borrower must be current on the mortgage at the time of the refinance, with a good payment history in the past 12 months.

The HARP program is eligible for owner occupied homes a second home, an investment property, single-family homes, condos and villas as long as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac owns your loan.

To check if Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae owns your loan go to the website below, or call and I will check for you.

www.fanniemae.com/loanlookup 

www.freddiemac.com/mymortgage

You can reach JoAnn Rooney at My Mortgage Source 727-938-9007

Dear Customer,

I am very pleased to announce that My Mortgage Source is now open for business and is located at 2142 Alt. 19 Suite D, Palm Harbor 34683.

After 10 years of being a partner and co-founder of Your Mortgage Source, I decided the time was right for me to branch out on my own. As far as you my customer is concerned, nothing has changed, except for the name and location. My entire staff has moved along with me and we look forward to providing you with the same excellent service and advice that we have in the past. Please feel free to contact me with any questions that you might have. 

Sincerely,

JoAnn Rooney

JoAnn Rooney is the CEO of My Mortgage Source, LLC. JoAnn is also a member of Dunedin Rotary North, a 2007 Leadership Pinellas Graduate, a Member of the Mortgage Bankers Association, serves on the board of the Pinellas County Economic Development Council and a member of the Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers. My Mortgage Source, LLC is located at 2142 Alt. 19, Suite D Palm Harbor, Florida 34683. JoAnn can be reached at 727.938.9007 or email: joann@mymtgsource.com. Also visit www.mymtgsource.com, facebook.com/FLMortgageLadyand follow on Twitter@FLMortgageLady. Company NMLS# 1019744

Blessings to all, Andrew Ashton

With summer approaching, the desire to get beach body ready is impossible to ignore. While we always suggest starting off with a healthy diet and the right amount of exercise, when that combo isn’t enough, there’s always Exilis.

Exilis was the winner of best skin tightening device in 2012 at THE Aesthetic Show, Las Vegas, NV, and has been featured on numerous television programs such as “The View” and “The Doctors”. Exilis uses focused radio frequency (RF) to tighten skin. Thermage is another well-known skin tightening device using RF. The difference between Thermage and Exilis is that Thermage is extremely painful and Exilis feels much like a hot stone massage. The pain of Thermage may also limit how high the settings can be, which may limit results. With Exilis, there is no pain and no downtime. Exilis does require several sessions for a complete treatment, usually 4-6 sessions about a week apart. Each session lasts 20 min to 1 hour depending on how many areas are being treated at each session. The downside with ANY energy based skin tightening device is that the patient must wait for their own collagen to grow and remodel to see the results. Excited about starting to look younger, the wait can be as frustrating as watching grass grow. But in just three months, a visible change does occur and results continue to improve even beyond this. It’s as if the patient is aging backwards as the device actually causes some changes within the skin that are opposite of what occurs with the aging process.

Exilis can not only be used on the face to firm, smooth, and tighten the skin, but it can also be used on the body to address those areas that no amount of working out and dieting will fix. The body hand-piece of the Exilis device not only tightens skin, but also shrinks fatty deposits and allows a very nice non-surgical body contouring. There is no downtime and no pain with Exilis body contouring either. Many patients actually fall asleep during the treatments. Patient satisfaction with Exilis is very high. The body sculpting results become visible much more quickly than the skin tightening, with patients frequently reporting visible changes in the first week. Also, since the fat deposits are being reduced over several sessions though gentle heating, there is no risk of contour irregularity, lumps, gouges, or dimples as can sometimes be seen with poor results in surgical recontouring. There is no garment to wear and no bruising or drainage or potential for infection. The fat just seems to gradually melt away in the areas treated, without any slow down in your activities except for the relaxation during the treatment itself.

Call 813.874.2332 for an appointment or visit www.lecadatampa.com

Lecada Medical Artistry is conveniently located at 3710 West Azeele St., Tampa, 33606.

Debbie and Larry Lieberman, D.D.S.

Over the years in our home of 3 active boys my wife, Debbie, kept command central in control by juggling sports, school, social calendars and work. The mantra in our home was “when mamma is happy, everyone is happy”! Today we laugh about it, but moms of today juggle so many family responsibilities and set the tone for the home. Not only do they manage the family lives, they very often put their own needs last making sure everyone else’s needs are met. Many times in our dental office I meet moms who are in desperate need of dental treatment but choose to put their children’s needs first. While this is very important, I would like to encourage those moms to think about the model they are setting for their children and somehow find a way to take care of themselves too. I celebrate these moms and invite them in to our dental office to be treated and pampered.

The experience begins the moment you enter our office. Cool, calming, spa colors, a soothing rock waterfall, a coffee bar (that rivals Starbucks) and a warm, smiling face awaits you at check in. Whether you’ve come for your routine hygiene visit or for other dental treatment, your comfort is our prime concern. Using memory foam chair pads, TV and music headphones, sunglasses and a garden view in each treatment room gives you the feeling you’re not in your typical sterile dental office.

For those patients who need a bit more “comfort” in a dental environment we offer several additional options. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is available to help relieve dental anxiety. In addition, we are licensed to offer oral and IV sedation, a deeper more relaxing way to get through your dental visit. Very often dental anxiety can be helped simply with calm, soothing music, a dark pair of sunglasses and a caring staff who is attentive to your needs.

Of course we are here to meet all of your dental needs – teeth whitening, bonded fillings, veneers, crowns, root canal, dentures, implants and implant restorations- are some of the services we offer. We even have 6 different lasers to make your dental treatment easier, faster and more comfortable. For those busy and with time constraints we can make Cerec crowns in a single visit. To compliment this we also offer BruxZir Solid Zirconia crowns which are stronger and a beautiful alternative to conventional crowns. If you’d like to pamper yourself we can do that too. If your smile isn’t all that you’d like it to be we have many cosmetic options to help. If your teeth aren’t as straight as you’d like them to be we have options to help straighten them. If your appearance is aging faster than you’re ready for we are proud to offer Botox and Dermal Fillers to enhance your appearance.

Our philosophy has always been and continues to be to keep our service and approach to excellent patient care a top priority. I am extremely proud of my staff that has helped me to make this a reality. I look forward to answering your questions and to serving any of your dental needs.

Larry Lieberman,DDS

Dr. César Lara

With the summer months approaching and longer sun filled days enticing us all to enjoy the beach, our desire to get our bodies fit for swimsuits is very real.

There is a clinical tool available to facilitate a more robust start or restart in the losing of inches. Consider this option not only for swimsuit season, but as one begins to implement a long-term strategy of lifestyle modification and ultimately, transformation. The option is the use of HCG.

HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, which is a hormone that women produce in significantly high levels during pregnancy (500,000 to 1,000,000 units / day). It is generally believed that its purpose is to ensure that regardless of whether the mother eats or not, the unborn baby will get its nutrition via a facilitated and more direct breakdown of fat, hence creating a constant source of calories.

HCG in small amounts (100 to 300 units / day) has been used in both genders since the mid 1950s to aid in weight loss. Thousands of persons swear by the results that they have achieved. However it has been very controversial, as the original Italian physician who first promoted it for weight loss also tied it to an extremely low calorie diet of 500 calories / day.

The scientific community has done studies that showed that the amount of weight lost with a 500 calorie plan was similar between groups of people taking HCG and those not taking HCG, hence a large majority have concluded that HCG is no better than a placebo. Further clinical evidence advices against such restricted 500-calorie diets due to potential starvation mode elicited in the body, in addition to concerns of safety.

On the other hand there is now clinical evidence that it is not just the amount of weight loss that needs to be compared; but also the source of weight loss that is important. Specifically it is the desire to lose the “ FAT” weight and not the “MUSCLE “ weight, and if someone is put on a very low calorie diet, the problem is that the person will lose too much muscle, (lean body mass) which is in direct proportion to that person’s metabolic rate. In addition, recent studies have clearly concluded that improving and increasing lean body mass directly decreases insulin resistance, which is the culprit in obesity. HCG treated patients have shown that the amount of muscle loss is half the amount as those following a similar diet but without HCG.

The story that we hear and see often is that a person on an HCG protocol will noticeably see inches shrink on the areas of their body where the fat accumulates the most. It is especially helpful in persons with the “pear shaped” body where the weight is accumulated in the hips and thighs. With many diets, the “pear shaped” body type will many times find their upper body, especially their face, begin to look “too thin” despite the fact that their lower half still has significant excess. The volume of a pound of fat is significantly larger than the volume of a pound of muscle, and hence, as more fat is released, the more volume or inches one’s body shrinks.

HCG is a regulator of hormones, which is of great value in patients with excess weight, as their condition is an expression of an imbalance in their hormonal state. Specifically, HCG regulates many hormones including thyroid and the sex hormones, most notably testosterone. It is used clinically in males to help increase their own production of testosterone, and it is also used in females seeking treatment for infertility. The improvement in the testosterone levels of those on HCG most likely is the reason why muscle weight loss is minimized as the testosterone turns on an anabolic state in the body whereby it promotes muscle development.

In our practice we use mainly the injectable type of HCG. There has been controversy regarding the use of oral forms as recent studies have shown there are no detectable levels of HCG except when the injectable type is used. The FDA (Federal Drug Administration) has been warning consumers that the

Homeopathic HCG products typically marketed as weight loss aids, and sold via the Internet and stores, usually in the form of drops and pellets, are illegal and unproven.

As in any nutritional plan that helps shed of the excess weight, keeping it off is the real story. In our practice, we see a large amount of patients that had done what they thought was HCG in the past and obtained good results, but were not maintainable and they regained their weight plus more. Of course this story resonates with all nutritional plans as most people doing diets only focus on “you can eat this and not that “ for a certain period of time. Afterwards they resume their usual and customary habits, which lead them to gain weight initially and will continue to do so always.

However with those patients doing a very low calorie diet on their own and taking what they thought was HCG, it would make sense that they would initially lose the weight dramatically as 500 calories is drastic. The problem is their weight was lost not only in fat, but also in larger amounts of muscle, which subsequently lowered their metabolism and predisposed them to insulin resistance. That in turn, primed them for quick and unhealthy regain, even though their caloric intake was still low.

In my experience, when HCG is used with close medical management of a very low calorie nutritional plan, it can facilitate a great start. It is used in cycles of four or six weeks; and in between cycles, the nutritional plan is adjusted. Some people do a cycle to get a good start and develop the confidence to be on their journey to a healthy weight. Others use a cycle once they reach a plateau in their weight loss journey, and many see the benefits of helping reshape their body by facilitating the loss of inches in the stubborn areas of their body.

A healthy lifestyle transformation is the goal of any nutritional plan that helps release excess weight, and is ultimately the true measure of success. A successful plan should not only focus on the amount of pounds lost, but more importantly on its inherent ability to help transition into a healthier and maintainable weight. This requires the understanding that it is not a quick fix but a long-term commitment where education, guidance and support are paramount.

Although there are many tools to help aid in our journey to a healthier thinner self, the tool that is the most important is your mind and the thoughts that are elicited every single day. Hence despite great opportunities to help in the rebalancing of our hormones, and improvement in insulin resistance, in my humble opinion, the real goal is the ability to maintain that healthier weight, not a quick fix. That goal can only be achieved if you give yourself the love and commitment to change your lifestyle and recognize that all is possible. You just need to visualize, believe and work at seeing it actualize.

Dr. César A. Lara

César A. Lara, M.D. is a Board Certified family physician and a leading expert in the field of medicine, the treatment of obesity, and weight loss management. For more than 20 years, it has been Dr. Lara’s passion to become a positive force in America’s ever-growing obesity crisis…one patient at a time. Dr. Lara’s dream of helping men and women overcome diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and other chronic conditions related to obesity was realized with the emergence of the César A. Lara, MD; Center for Weight Management as a premier weight loss center in Tampa Bay. A graduate of the University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Dr. Lara is known for his strong personal faith and his generous contributions to the Tampa Bay community. Dr. Lara regularly appears on television as a medical contributor to Brighthouse Network’s Bay News 9 en Español and WTSP-TV Studio 10. He frequently participates in corporate health fairs promoting an active lifestyle and healthy weight loss options. He is the founder of St. Michael’s Free Clinic and Weight Away Tampa Bay, charitable organizations that provide free medical treatment to those who cannot afford it.

Wash and dry lettuce finely chop and put in large bowl.

Add all your chopped vegetables to bowl with lettuce and toss to combine well.

Add bacon pieces then blu cheese crumble to top of salad

Serve with balsamic vinaigrette on the side

Tips: keep all ingredients nice and cold serve on refrigerated plates.

Add grilled chicken breast to make a great lunch or dinner entre

1500 McMullen Booth Rd. (Near Publix corner of 590 and McMullen) 727.723.9777

Panache:

Larry: To change people’s lives – health & beauty. To help people who fear the dentist feel comfortable, less fearful & gain trust.

Panache: What is your primary role or duty in your company? 

Larry: Owner, dentist, leader – set the tone for a warm, caring, nurturing environment. To set a standard for always growing and learning.

Panache: What sets you apart from your competition?

Larry: Leader in the field of state of the art, high tech dentistry. I treat people with kindness & compassion – the way I would want to be treated.

Panache: What would you be doing now if it weren’t for your business, taking money out of the equation? 

Larry: Donating my time and abilities to people who need it. 5 Years ago several of us co-founded Gulf Coast Dental Outreach to help people in need. Now we have over 100 dentists who donate their time for this cause. It has served as an example around the state.

Panache: What do you do for fun?

Larry: Many sports – golf, work out, bike – anything with my family and friends.

Panache: Who or what is most important to you, personally or professionally? 

Larry: Balance my life between work, play, family and religion.

Panache: A little secret about you that would shock those who don’t know you!

Larry: For 18 years of my life I spent most of my time working and coaching my 3 son’s baseball and soccer teams (42 teams) in all!

Panache: What are your personal and professional mottos?

Larry: To treat people in a way that I would want to be treated – with caring and excellence. If you are not growing you must be dead.

Panache: When you were five, what was your dream to be when you grew up?

Larry: To be a baseball player or a doctor.

Panache: Have you achieved all or most of your dreams thus far?

Larry: Professionally – I have an incredible profession. I love dentistry and have a great team who feel this way too. We all strive to improve the lives of our patients each and every day.

Personally – I have my health, a wonderful marriage of 32 years, 3 grown fantastic sons – I have surpassed my dreams!!

Larry Lieberman, D.D.S.

Dr. Larry Lieberman began his career as a dentist over 30 years ago. After his undergraduate studies at SUNY Cortland, NY he continued his education and graduated from the prestigious NYU College of Dentistry. He furthered his dental training as a resident at Bergen Pines County Hospital, Paramus, NJ. After a few short, snowy winters he moved south and has practiced in the Palm Harbor area for over 24 years.

Dr Lieberman in his commitment to provide the best and most up-to-date care, has a strong belief in continuing education. Yearly he and his staff complete numerous hours of continuing education. He has graduated from the Pankey Institute of Dental Excellence and the Misch Institute for Implantology. Some other institutions of study are:

• Pride Institute for Practice Management
• Seattle Study Club
• Institute of Aesthetic Advantage for Advanced Dental Studies
• Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation
• Various local study groups
• In addition, he has lectured both locally and nationally on subjects such as cosmetic dentistry, practice management, snoring and sleep apnea, nutrition, non-surgical periodontal disease and lasers in dentistry.
• Also important to Dr. Lieberman is his role in the civic and professional community.
• He proudly belongs to:
• American Dental Association
• West Coast Dental Association
• Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
• Florida Dental Association
• Upper Pinellas Dental Association
• Academy of Laser Dentistry
• Fellow of the American Academy of General Dentistry
• Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology
• Upper Pinellas Association Peer Review Advisor
• Oldsmar/Palm Harbor Youth League – Baseball and Soccer Coach
• Most recently he became a founding member and co-director of the Gulf Coast Dental Outreach Clinic for adults near or at the poverty level.

Aviva Drescher

Meet Real Housewives’ of New York Aviva Drescher

Having joined the cast of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York in season five, the beautiful and charming Aviva is so much more than what you see on the hit reality show. She is a wife, mother to four precious children, a REAL housewife, a business woman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Aviva is “Living the Life!”

Passionate about everything she does, but extremely evident in her charity work for amputees with The One Step Ahead Foundation. Aviva lost her leg at age six and it has never stopped her from accomplishing anything and everything she sets her mind to. Strong and determined, this lady is more beautiful on the inside than she is on the outside. After the recent Boston Marathon bombings, she opened her heart to the victims, that’s just what she does.

How did you get involved with the Real Housewives of New York?

Through a mutual friend of Bethenny Frankel’ and the rest is history!

What sets you apart from the other housewives?

Each one of us is different in many ways. I sometimes feel like a goldfish swimming with the sharks. I was a rookie when I came on board; the other ladies are much shrewder than I am. I don’t feel like I’m a celebrity nor am I a diva. My intention was to make great television, unfortunately for the sake of drama; we are not always represented in our true form, don’t believe everything you see. My biggest reason for wanting to be on the show was to inspire other amputees, to be their voice.

What do you do for fun?

We have close friends that we enjoy spending time with and celebrating joyous occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries.

Who or what is most important to you, personally and professionally?

My family is number one! After that, my charities and the work I do daily for amputees.

What is your most memorable Housewives’ experience?

The day I met Andy Cohen! Not only is he the executive producer of the show, but a wonderful human being.

When you were five years old, what was your dream to be when you grew up?

A ballerina

What are your personal and professional mottos?

Personal would have to be “why be normal, everyone interesting has a past.” Professional is “Cease the day, life is not a dress rehearsal!”

Three words that best describe you are:

Silly, Assertive and Compassionate

Who do you owe your success to?

Any good that I am today, comes from positive reinforcement, love and encouragement from my parents and my husband

Have most of your dreams come true so far?

Yes, even more than I ever dreamed possible!

For More information on Aviva’s Charity One Step Ahead Visit: 

http://onestepaheadfoundation.wordpress.com/ To connect with Aviva on Social Media; Follow her on Twitter @avivadrescher 

Like her page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/avivadrescher. 

When Aviva was six years-old, she was in a farm accident when her left foot got severely hurt at a friend’s upstate New York dairy farm. A few months later her leg was amputated as a result of that accident. Aviva has never let this tragedy define who she is.

Aviva has a solid education. She attended New York’s The Fieldston School as a child and went on to earn a Bachelors of Arts degree from Vassar College, a Masters in French Literature from New York University and a Juris Doctorate from The Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

At a chance meeting at Bed Bath & Beyond, Aviva a single mother at the time met Investment Banker Reid Drescher as their young children played together in the aisles. It was only a matter of time before the two got married and grew their family together. The Dreschers now have the quintessential contemporary modern family with four children – Harrison, 11, Veronica, 10, Hudson, 5, and Sienna, 2.

Aviva is also passionate about working with different philanthropies. Whether it is her role as the National Spokesperson for One Step Ahead, an organization for amputees, her work with Cancer Schmancer/Trash Cancer alongside her cousin Fran Drescher, Live4Life a charity that raises funds for Melanoma research and recently signing on as the ambassador for the So Gay So What Campaign (part of the Shine Out Music Festival) as a straight ally. Aviva continually teaches her family the importance of giving back.

Steve and Julie Weintraub

Everyone in Tampa Bay is familiar with Steve and Julie Weintraub because of their family business, Gold & Diamond Source and the charity they founded, Hands Across the Bay. What some may not know about Steve is not only is he a very successful businessman, a father to five precious children, a doting grandfather, a loving husband to his beautiful sidekick Julie but has a huge heart and helps so many in the Tampa Bay area.

Steve Weintraub founded Gold & Diamond Source in June 1984 and serves as the President and CEO of the company today. Steve got involved in the jewelry business because he saw a need for a fine jewelry store that provided superior service while keeping quality high and prices below what was being offered almost 30 years ago and even today. During the past 30 years and still going strong, Steve and his staff have satisfied over 250,000 happy customers from all over the country! The Gold & Diamond Source is unlike many other jewelry stores, in Tampa Bay or anywhere else! The newly redesigned 10,000 sq. ft. building is like Disney World for those who love jewelry, and we’re not talking Mickey Mouse watches here! The Gold & Diamond Source carries the inventory of ten normal jewelry stores combined with some of the most experienced, professional and friendly staff in the jewelry industry. Their selection of diamonds is truly breathtaking and can be a bit overwhelming for the first time diamond buyer. That’s where Steve, Julie and their staff come in to assist you. You will find all cuts of diamonds such as Round, Princess, Radiant, Emerald, Pearl, Heart, Marquise and Trillion cut in various sizes, colors and clarities. They also carry pieces created by the top designers in the jewelry industry such as Sethi Couture, Natalie K, Peter Storm Chamilia in addition to a huge selection of Fancy Yellow Diamonds. The best part is, there is a diamond waiting for you at Gold & Diamond Source to fit every budget. Gold & Diamond Source also offers a lifetime trade in policy on diamond solitaries and diamond earrings.

In addition to the family business and the charity work, Steve is also a member of the Jewelers Board of Trade, Jewelers Vigilante Committee and the Better Business Bureau. We asked Steve what is his most memorable or interesting work related experience was. “Working with Domestic Violence victims and helping them start new lives” he stated.

Steve’s favorite part of owning the business is having his family work alongside him. The Weintraub family is an extremely close knit family, and that’s exactly how Steve and Julie like it. “We believe in family and spend as much time with each other as possible including at least one entire family vacation once a year. Also, our work through our non-profit Charity, Hands Across the Bay is our way of paying things forward to this great Community and all the wonderful things it has brought to us. We consider it an honor to be able to give back in any way we can.” Because Steve and his family have been blessed in so many ways, they continue to give back over and over again and have taught their children the same. Not only is family his number one priority, but the extended families he and Julie have adopted through all of their charity work. Three words that best describe Steve and his business are honest, caring & professional. His heart is forever overflowing with kindness and generosity, especially to those less fortunate. Steve told us he owes his success to his wife Julie and his family, the entire staff of Gold & Diamond Source, Hands Across the Bay & of course his dad, Norman Weintraub Sr.

Gold & Diamond Source is located at 3800 Ulmerton Road in Clearwater. 727.573.9351 www.GOLDANDDIAMOND.com.